Resorts for Teens

[hughepa]

We are going to WDW in 2009. Can't decide if we are better to go beginning of February or over their spring break in March?

Also, I have two boys that will be 12 and 13. Which moderate resort would be better for them? I would really love to stay at WL or AKL if there is any way to get a good deal.

 

[KodakFigment]

Welcome to the Dis! You'll get LOTS of advice and opinions here
You mentioned moderates and then AKL or WL which are deluxes. Having made this trip when our boys were your kids ages I would suggest you consider Beach Club. The pool can't be beat, they wouldn't necessarily have to share a bed (one might fit on the day bed) and you are walking distance to EPCOT. While I'm not suggesting that a 12 and 13 yr old be allowed to travel all over Disney by themselves, having EPCOT right next door gave our boys a sense of autonomy that they craved. It's more expensive, but there are good deals throughout the year. Have fun planning!

 

[PlainJane]

I would avoid spring break at all costs. As far as your resort choice, I've never stayed at a moderate, but my first choice would be Caribbean Beach. We eat at Shutters (CB sit down restaurant) almost every time we visit. The pool is also going through a major rehab, and it will be complete by the time you visit.

If you do decide to move up to WL or AKL, I prefer AKL. I prefer the restaurants and pool at AKL to WL.

 

[corinascot]

We've stayed at POR, POFQ and CSR. My son was 11 and 12 when we stayed at CSR. It's his favorite. He liked the pool theme. Also, the arcade is right next to the pool along with a volleyball court. His cousins stopped by on one trip and they could bounce from the pool to volleyball to the arcade easily. He also liked the hammocks outside our room. We're going to WL this December and ds' reaction was, "Can't we go back to Coronado instead?"

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I'd vote for early February -- less crowded. Even if you didn't get any other discount, the "seasons" work out in your favor and could save a lot of money going in February.

Let's assume the seasons stay roughly the same next year. For this year, February 1 - 13 was value season at both the WL/AKL and the moderates. During value season at the WL, a standard room was $225 a night, rack rate. From Feb 14 - March 29, peak season at both WL and moderates, that same standard WL room was $340 a night, rack rate. (More if you were there over President's Day or Easter.) At the moderates, a standard room was $149 a night, rack rate, during the value season in early February. The same room during peak season in March was $189 a night, rack rate.

So, if you do choose WL, for instance, you get $115 a night "discount" if you go in early February as compared to March. (Which is a lot more than AAA or AP discounts I've seen.) And the difference between that WL room in February and the room at the moderate in March is only about $35 a night. If you can justify a moderate in March, it's probably not much of a stretch to WL in value season. If you have AAA, you can probably get a discount to make the price lower by 10% or so. Since you have the choice of dates, you can basically make your own discount and still use AAA/AP/or whatever else is available by going in February.

I hope that makes sense...Disney prices make me feel like I'm talking in circles.

 

[dixipixi]

As for the moderates, our teens loved POFQ. We just got back from a trip to POR and our son (14) didn't really like it as much as POFQ. We have never stayed at CBR with teens, but I did with our youngest when he was 4 and he loved it then. The pool was one of his favorite things.

We have never stayed at WL, and our family's reviews were mixed on AKL. I absolutely LOVED it, DH didn't care for it , our oldest teen (16 at the time) said it was ok for a night or two but he wouldn't want to stay there for longer than 3 nights, and our youngest (12 at the time) really enjoyed it. He still talks about the pool there and claims it is the 2nd best at Disney (behind SAB at the Y&BC).

 

[Donnainnj]

Just choosing from the Moderates for teens I think I would go with CSR. The pool and slide are better for that age, and the variety of food is better. The buses have also been quicker when I have been there. We have been during Easter Week and the buses were still good.
Donna

 

[corinascot]

We've been to WDW twice during Easter week. It's crowded but it just takes some planning. We had a great time. We did arrive after Easter, once on Monday and another time on Wed, I think. That way ds only missed one day of school. The parks would get less crowded as the week went on. And the park hours were looooong. As ds gets older, we can do MK til 2 am on emh. We'd arrive home the following Monday. I know it's more crowded and more expensive than Feb., but Feb is too busy for us. Ds would miss school and basketball. Plus, it can be cold.

SO, it's a trade-off. You have to decide what's more important for your family.

 

[Shmily1]

The best suggestion I have is show your teens the pictures (the resorts section of WDWinfo has awesome photos of the resorts) of the different resorts in your price range and let them choose. Each resort is totally different and has different reviews from everyone.

I have DS17 and DD16 and DD's BFF that usually go with us/me. When there are five of us, we usually stay at BC because it is too much fun for them and the closeness to Epcot and DHS makes it totally worth the money to stay there. About the daybed, DS17 is 6'2" and loves the daybed!

When there are only four of us, we are resort hoppers!!! We always try something new. POR is a lot of fun with all the activities around, like fishing, boatrides, bike rides, the pool, etc. CSR has a great pool and the lake with activies too. CBR has the beach (what more needs to be said there?). POFQ would be my least favorite of the moderates for a teen.

Out of the values, all three of our teens love ASMu!! DS17 said he will go on all our trips if we can stay there or BC!!! Those are his favorites! They all loved the theming of the values. We've tried all of them except Sports. The girls liked Movies ok, but DS still is stuck on ASMu!

Have a great time!!!

 

[jeffbear]

We are going to WDW in 2009. Can't decide if we are better to go beginning of February or over their spring break in March?

Also, I have two boys that will be 12 and 13. Which moderate resort would be better for them? I would really love to stay at WL or AKL if there is any way to get a good deal.

FWIW, while the kids will probably love either of those two resorts, we did a quick, barely planned trip when my youngins were roughly those ages and stayed at All Star Movies. My kids absolutely loved the big goofy features at ASM like the giant Pongo and the movie-themed stairwells. And my kids are normally pretty indifferent to that kind of over-sized silliness.

Bottom line ... you just never know what will appeal to them sometimes.

 

[spiceycat]

POR is nice they will appreciate the arcade.

but the pool at CSR is definitely better.

that say might go with Pop - they will definitely meet more kids at Pop than a moderate. no slide, no hottub - but more reasonable price. also another nice arcade.

like to go in the Spring - you can avoid the crowds - just leave the parks when it gets to crowded - go back swim, relax, nap, shopping - come back later. One good thing about onseason the parks are open later.

love the weather in the Spring - not to hot or too cold. just about perfect! plus all the flowers are blossuming!